Rom-Com Characters That Definitely Could Have Been Bisexual
There simply aren't enough.
If you haven’t heard, it’s bisexual awareness week, including bisexual day of visibility (September 23rd)! To celebrate, we decided it is only fair to curate a list of characters from our favorite rom-coms that definitely could’ve been at least bisexual. But, for whatever reason, in the majority of films, they are not (Thank you, The Half of It!). Is it truly that hard to write the word “bisexual” into a script?
Our analyses are based on experience, prior knowledge, and above all, just pure “vibes,” so don’t think too hard. Rom-com writers if you’re reading, what’s the deal? Let’s step it up in the representation department, please! Take this as a hint.
1. Kat Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You
Yeah, I know, girl reads Sylvia Plath, challenges authority, blah blah blah, can I make it any more obvious? She’s the “shrew,” guys. We all know what that meant in 16-whatever. If this was set in 2020 she would absolutely have her own homemade earrings Depop shop, and that’s all that needs to be said. -Annabelle
2. Patrick Verona in 10 Things I Hate About You
We should be treated to Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon Levitt flirting. Instead, we have to watch the usual JGL fantasize about his manic pixie dream girl while Ledger does all the legwork. Patrick appears to be flirting with everyone in this film. Just let him! -Fletcher
3. Em Lewin in Adventureland
Obviously, I have to include a Kristen Stewart character. After all these years I still think its hilarious just how hard movies try to convince us that her characters are straight. -Annabelle
4. Josh in Clueless
Josh reads way too much. A ton of abstract stuff! Like, what are you reading, man? Probably something about how fluid sexuality is. He wears a lot of flannels. I feel like I connect with Josh, as a character; this would explain why I’ve labeled him in this way. -Fletcher
5. Edward Cullen in Twilight
To me, the leather cuff that good old Eddie wears for the entirety of the Twilight saga is simply a symbol of internalized homophobia. Remember when Bella had to fly to Rome to stop him from taking his shirt off in front of all of Italy? Absolute drama queen. You can’t be alive 100 years and not at least contemplate playing for both teams. Willing to bet RPatz has kissed at least one boy. -Annabelle
6. Kit in Failure to Launch
I don’t recall all that much from Failure to Launch, but I do remember this Zooey Deschanel role being so very anti-Zooey Deschanel, which is campy to me. She plays Sarah Jessica Parker’s roommate with wacky earrings, and a high pony that’s ever-so-slightly askew. I’m familiar with the fact that Zooey’s dominating character trait is that she’s quirky — but this spins quirky into something even quirkier. -Fletcher
7. Jo March in Little Women
Many people would like to say that Jo is a lesbian because back in Civil War days what they called “literary spinster” was a code word for “listens to girl in red.” And you know what? Maybe she is! But she’s at least bi. Give us this. -Annabelle
8. John Ambrose in To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You
Admittedly there’s some bias here because someone told me that this actor comes from Broadway and that just adds fuel to the fire. There’s nothing wrong with being a straight guy on Broadway, but, let’s be honest, how likely is it? Anyway, John Ambrose is too suave to be a straight man. -Annabelle
9. Gracie Hart in Miss Congeniality
The true romance of this film simmers between Cheryl Frasier and Gracie Hart. Enough of the detective romance! Grace, time to dump the FBI. That ending sequence where she tosses the prize to save Cheryl — so heartwarming. (Side note for Heather Burns — her character in You’ve Got Mail is also probably bisexual.) -Fletcher
10. Cady Heron in Mean Girls
Say what you will about Mean Girls, but Cady and Regina have just a little too much chemistry for both of them to be considered straight. Cady’s confusion over “girl world” could translate to “straight girl world,” easy. To be honest, this could swing either way for both of them. Regina did join the lacrosse team, after all. -Annabelle
11. William Thacker in Notting Hill
Just like Heather Burns in You’ve Got Mail and Clueless’s Josh, the whole “working in a bookstore” and “loving books” bit radiates the idea of a potential bi character. There’s so much flirtation in bookstores. There’s something going on with William’s roommate, too — I’d love to have seen more of that in this film. -Fletcher
12. Robbie From Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
This being an absolute gem of a rom-com aside, there’s no way this angsty sex god boyfriend was 100% straight. Patrick Verona rules apply here. -Annabelle
13. Donna Stern in Obvious Child
Maybe I’m just used to the similar New York world of High Fidelity, which shares Jake Lacy as a love interest. Jenny Slate can do it too! -Fletcher
14. Emma in Emma.
“Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, rich,” reads the opening slide of this delightful film. We all know the bit: all bisexuals know is be handsome, clever, rich, and lie. Also, Emma hesitates so much when it comes to love life. Maybe she’s just into Harriet a little bit. -Fletcher
15. Ramona Flowers in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Well, like, duh. It’s canonical in this case, but it’s also not. One of Ramona’s raging exes is Roxy Richter (the wonderful Mae Whitman)* — but she’s not actually bisexual, she was just “bi-curious.” Why can’t she just be bisexual? Is that such an issue? Must a manic pixie dream girl be straight? -Fletcher
*a previous version of this newsletter incorrectly cited Envy Adams as Ramona’s ex and has now been edited to reflect this
16. Summer in 500 Days of Summer
And finally, another one that’s so nearly canonical, Summer mentions her ex “Charlie” who, thank god, turns out to be a girl. Never any mention of her sexuality though! Just a casual brush off of her “experimentation in college,” begs the question: must a Zooey Deschanel character be straight? -Annabelle